DAY ONE: Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme grabbed a wicket each to reduce South Africa to 24 for two in response to New Zealand's 268 at the close of the first day's play at the Basin Reserve. Southee had Stephen Cook (far left) caught at second slip by Jimmy Neesham for three before De Grandhomme, a surprising choice to share the new ball, had Dean Elgar also snapped up by the same fielder for nine to reduce the Proteas to 12-2.

Nicholls (above) combined with opener Jeet Raval for 52 after New Zealand struggled after being asked to bat by Faf du Plessis. He brought up his milestone when he hooked a Rabada delivery to the mid-wicket fence.

Earlier, Jimmy Neesham was the only wicket to fall in the middle session for 15, before Nicholls's dismissal sparked a collapse of three wickets for five runs after tea with part-time off-spinner JP Duminy (above) capturing all three. Jeetan Patel and Southee then blasted a quickfire 44 runs before Morkel dismissed Southee for 27. Then Duminy captured the final wicket of Neil Wagner for two to wrap up the innings and finish with 4-47.

DAY TWO: Quinton de Kock (right) and Temba Bavuma (left) fell short of the centuries they probably deserved but drove South Africa to 349 for nine, a first innings lead of 81, at the close of play on the second day.

De Kock (above) was dismissed for 91 when he chased a wide Jimmy Neesham delivery and was caught behind to end the 160-run partnership with Bavuma that had rescued the Proteas following a rocky opening session.

The hosts were again frustrated when last man Morne Morkel (31, above) dominated an unbroken 47-run partnership with Philander, and received a barrage of short deliveries for his troubles with one from Tim Southee striking him on the helmet.

The Proteas had resumed the day on 24 for two and were immediately under pressure with nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada (above) bowled by Southee for nine in the second over of the day. After taking four wickets in the first session and reducing the Proteas to 94 for six just before lunch, New Zealand had high hopes of taking a significant first innings lead.

DAY THREE: Keshav Maharaj (right) took career best figures of 6-40 as South Africa romped to an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand on the extended third day to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Hashim Amla (left) and JP Duminy (right) guided the tourists to victory in an additional 30 minutes of play at the Basin Reserve, the latter firing the boundary that saw the Proteas ease past the 81-run victory target to 83-2.

Amla (left) finished on 38 not out and the winning four gave Duminy (right) an unbeaten 15 but it was a victory set up by their disciplined bowling unit, who had dismissed New Zealand for 171 in their second innings after tea.

Jeet Raval (above) was the only batsman to provide any resistance as he was peppered by Morkel's bouncers and took several blows to his hands and body. Raval, who survived three chances after he had passed 50, top scored with 80 before his dismissal to Maharaj after tea sparked a slump where New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 16 runs.